"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave and notice. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows." (The Amplified Bible)
Wow! What a thought, that the Father loves me so much that He knows the very number of hairs on my head! If He cares so much for the devalued sparrow; two for one penny, how much more does He care for me? How much more does He desire that I KNOW His love and MY value. The boundless worth that I am to God cost His Son His life! That shed blood, every drop of it paid my debt, and yet, all these years I have neglected His dwelling place as though to say, "It wasn't worth it."
My heavenly Father's sacrifice is worth some expended energy and discomfort as I work through this Temple Training. Every calorie, every pound, every prayer, every scripture, every amount of faithfulness on my part is worth it, because he is worth it and because I am worth it.
I'm reminded of the story of the momma eagle found burned to death, still standing like a charred statue at the foot of a tree. The fire raged fast and hot. The mother eagle did not have time to move her precious chicks, so she placed each one on the forest floor at the foot of a large tree, gathered her babies under her wing, and there she died. But, when the fire-fighters came to that place of smoldering embers, the sight of her statue-like heap of charred ashes was so surreal that one of them gently poked her lifeless body with a stick and out from under her wings came three baby eagles. All of them were alive and well. She gave her life to save theirs in a tremendous act of self-sacrifice.
Jesus did the same thing. He bore the cross in a raging fire-storm of human emotion while surrendering himself to the cross in order that I might be saved under the shelter of His Almighty wing into eternity, while dwelling within my heart and soul, His temple every day! How is it I have spent so many years loving Him and yet neglecting His dwelling place, ME? How is it that the lies of the devil have been so powerful as to persuade me to care for everyone around me, more than I care for me? How is it, I have fallen into the trap of over-functioning while under-functioning in my own self-care? How is it I have read and known this truth and yet turned a blind eye all these years?
No, I don't want to move to the other extreme of a false identity I see in so many who are fitness guru's, who have gone beyond self-care and moved into self-idolization and vanity; traits God never intended for His children, yet another trap and lie of the enemy. But, I certainly don't intend to remain here on the other side of this extreme either! Both are sin! Forgive me Lord, I pray. I am overwhelmed and humbled that You desire to dwell with me. I love you Lord!
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